Hao's Kitchen
Nestled in the heart of Merced, California, Hao's Kitchen offers a delightful fusion of flavors from the East, delivering a memorable dining experience that goes beyond just food. Located at 1500 Yosemite Pkwy, this cozy eatery has quickly become a favorite among locals and visitors for its flavorful dishes and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you’re in the mood for a hearty meal, a quick snack, or a family dinner, Hao’s Kitchen has something for everyone.
A Flavorful Menu with a Diverse Selection
Hao's Kitchen takes pride in its well-rounded menu, offering a variety of dishes that highlight the best of Asian cuisine. From crispy appetizers to satisfying rice bowls, there's something to please every palate. If you're looking for an appetizer to kick things off, the Vegetarian Egg Rolls and Fried Prawns are popular choices, perfect for sharing. For those craving a heartier meal, the Teriyaki Rice Bowls stand out, with options like Beef, Spicy Beef, Chicken, Spicy Chicken, and Shrimp rice bowls – all served with fresh vegetables for that added crunch.
The Lo Mein dishes, available with a choice of beef, chicken, shrimp, or even a vegetarian version, are another highlight, offering a delicious combination of stir-fried noodles and savory sauces. And for the adventurous eater, the Hong Kong Noodles or Chow Fun Noodles are great picks, served with your choice of meat or vegetables.
Hao’s Kitchen also offers a variety of specialties that will make your taste buds dance. Dishes like Lemon Chicken, Kung Pao Chicken (spicy), and Almond Chicken are crowd-pleasers, each offering bold flavors with just the right balance of spices. For those who prefer rice-based dishes, the Fried Rice and Steamed White Rice options, including Shrimp Fried Rice and Vegetarian Fried Rice, pair wonderfully with the main dishes. And don't forget about the fried rice and rice plates, where you can enjoy dishes like Chicken Mixed Vegetables over white rice or the popular Beef Tomato over white rice.
Dining Experience and Services
What sets Hao’s Kitchen apart isn’t just the food – it's the full experience. The restaurant offers a range of services that cater to various needs, whether you're looking to dine in, take out, or even have food delivered. Hao's Kitchen also provides the option to make reservations, ensuring you won't have to wait long to enjoy your meal. Takeout and delivery services are especially convenient for those on the go, and the ability to pay with credit cards or cryptocurrency adds another layer of flexibility for modern diners.
The casual, comfortable setting is ideal for enjoying a meal with friends, family, or even a solo dinner. The restaurant also boasts family-friendly features, such as kid-friendly menu items, outdoor seating, and ample parking space for all guests. With gender-neutral restrooms and the availability of Wi-Fi, Hao's Kitchen ensures that every guest feels comfortable and welcomed.
Customer Experiences: Raving Reviews
While the unassuming exterior of Hao's Kitchen might not prepare you for the culinary delights inside, patrons are quick to sing its praises. Many customers have been pleasantly surprised by the quality of the food and the fast, friendly service. Patricia M., for instance, shared that the fried appetizers were "spot on," and while the restaurant may not look like much from the outside, the "delicious" food and excellent service made her experience unforgettable.
Another customer, Gricelda B., was particularly impressed with the garlic chicken, calling it "veryyyyy good," and appreciated the quick service. Jennifer S. also shared her satisfaction with the Orange Chicken lunch combo, highlighting the generous portions and affordable price – she couldn’t get enough of the fresh fried orange chicken.
The Local Touch
Hao’s Kitchen stands out as an Asian-owned, women-owned restaurant, bringing an authentic touch to the local dining scene. Its focus on offering fresh ingredients, great service, and a welcoming atmosphere reflects its deep commitment to the Merced community. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, Hao's Kitchen provides a dining experience that will leave you coming back for more.
For those seeking delicious Asian cuisine in Merced, Hao's Kitchen offers a perfect blend of flavorful dishes, outstanding service, and a welcoming environment. Whether you're stopping by for a quick lunch or enjoying a meal with family and friends, this hidden gem is sure to impress.
Reviews
Garlic chicken is veryyyyy good, service is not bad as well got my food very fast. Definitely recommend looking through the menu
Recently, I ended up at Hao's Kitchen, because the taco truck I'd driven all the way to Planada for was unexpectedly closed. After looking through the photos and scouring reviews from some of my other favorite Elites, I decided to order the Orange Chicken lunch combo. For $12.99, it came with a huge serving of chicken chow mein, and smaller servings of pork fried rice and fresh fried orange chicken doused in sauce. I was told to wait about ten to fifteen minutes, but it seemed to come out much faster than that. Although I was distracted by my phone, I don't think I waited longer than eight minutes. The chicken was so hot and fresh that I had to wait several minutes before I could actually eat it. It was definitely cooked well, and all the way through. The sauce was tangy and amazing, and tasted homemade. It reminded me of some of the places my mom took me to in LA when I was little. I loved the pork fried rice, although it was a little greasy. I loved the noodles, which were even greasier, a little less. I didn't love the flavor of the noodles as much as the rest of the plate. They were kind of on the bland, greasy side. The cashier had asked me if I wanted any sauce, and, since I don't order Chinese food very often, I couldn't think of any sauces. Later, I wished I had asked for a little soy sauce (for the rice) and sweet and sour sauce (also for the rice, and for the noodles). For the price, the combo is a pretty good deal. A certain Chinese fast food chain charges significantly more for the same amount of food, ounce per ounce. If I had a choice, I would have rather had more rice and less noodles. I also wished there was an option for a smaller order of cream cheese wontons-- the only option was 8 pieces for $9. Overall, I thought this place was pretty good, and am glad I stopped by to try it out.
Best in town.. would perfer crispy noodle with the Beef Lomé. With Vegs.. Delicious without as well .. Been in business since I Last lived in Merced .. Late '90s
Excellent taste and decent portions. We had the shrimp and vegetables bowl and orange chicken. Unfortunately, this is a less than ideal location. My child did not feel comfortable going through the parking lot, but it's nice to have any non-fast food restaurant close to home. Ordering and layout seemed a little odd but it seemed that the bulk of their business was for takeout. Ordering from the counter, a table between the customer and the cashier, food served in styrofoam, storage being a temporary divider, etc. all made one feel like they were unaccustomed to indoor dining. Overall, they were kind and helpful and the food was enjoyable but I might only do takeout for the foreseeable future.
I had no idea this place existed. Let me tell you everything was Delicious joy pictured are some fried appetizers that were spot on and I could have honestly made a meal out of them. This place doesn't look like much outside or inside but the service was fast friendly and most importantly it all tasted amazing! We will definitely be stopping next time we're in town.